It may not be the long-awaited Fury fight everyone is dying to be announced, but according to reports, Tommy Fury has once again agreed to fight Jake Paul — for real this time (we hope).
The patriarch of the boxing family, John Fury, said on Sunday that after “backing him into a corner”, Paul‘s manager shook hands and “gave [their] word of honour” that a bout between the two fighters will be organised for February 2023.
Despite the Fury camp having pulled out twice before for different reasons, Tommy‘s dad went on to warn: “if you renege or back out, you’ll never live it down”. He went on to say that a handshake is more valuable to him than a contract. We just want them they actually fight as promised at this point.
As for the younger Paul brother, he confirmed the agreement on social media by calling out promoter Frank Warren and demanding a contract be signed within the next week or he’s “moving on”.
The 25-year-old influencer turned boxer also claimed that Warren said the arrival of Fury and Molly-Mae Hague’s first child around that time will not be an issue, though we suspect she might beg to differ.
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It would seem the breakthrough was made after things got rather heated at the Floyd Mayweather vs Deji exhibition fight on Sunday, when 23-year-old Fury had already warned he was going to “slap Jake Paul in the face” at ringside.
While things didn’t transpire that far, Paul went viral for shouting abuse at Fury from the commentary booth and throughout his fight, in general. As a result, the Manchester-born boxer wasted no time in calling him out after the bell rang.
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Tommy’s fight against Paul Bamba was called off in due to an apparent weigh-in dispute, with the younger Fury brother having to fight Rolly Lambert in a last-minute replacement to try and save the undercard.
However, the fight went un-scored as it was only an exhibition and the pair were booed throughout by the disappointed crowd watching on in Dubai. With that in mind, seeing the minor scuffle between the two camps would have no doubt been one of the biggest highlights of their fight.
Even Big John tried to have a go at the burgeoning American boxer:
As mentioned, we’ve done this dance before and while we hope this fight finally comes to fruition, we’re taking this so-called agreement with an ever bigger pinch of salt than we did before.
Both fighters are undefeated in their boxing careers so far (Fury boasting 8-0 and Paul 6-0) and both men have been criticised for not having faced a truly challenging opponent yet.
That being said, there’s a reason there is still clamour for this transatlantic fight — if not to prove they can truly box then at least to be done with the soap opera of it all. If the contract is signed and barring any cold feet in the eleventh hour, will you be tuning in to watch Tommy Fury vs Jake Paul?
Featured Image — Jake Paul/Tommy Fury (via Instagram)
Sport
Manchester United considering approach for Wolves boss Gary O’Neil over mystery coaching role
Danny Jones
Manchester United are reportedly considering an approach for Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil over a potential new coaching role.
Although it is thought the Wolves boss is about to be handed a brand-new contract following his impressive efforts at the West Midlands club, a new report from ESPN‘s Mark Ogden is now suggesting that O’Neil is set to be tapped up by Man United as they look to rebuild their backroom.
According to the article published this week, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS Sports team are interested in offering the 40-year-old as yet unconfirmed role on the Red Devils’ coaching staff and while it’s still unclear whether Erik ten Hag has the new co-owner’s full confidence, it’s clear they’re making plans.
Echoed by The Athletic‘s ever-reliable David Ornstein, who reiterated that Ogden is “really well connected” with the club, it looks like there might be some real legs in this.
What job is Gary O’Neil being considered for at United?
As for what O’Neil’s role around Old Trafford and Carrington, more specifically, would be were he to say yes or even consider an offer (it is thought no formal talks have been held at this stage), that remains a bit of a mystery.
That being said, with the likes of Steve McClaren serving a second spell as assistant manager at ten Hag‘s side – having been hand-picked by the Dutchman for his experience – along with Mitchell van der Gaag who arrived with him from Ajax, it seems unlikely either of the two would make way for O’Neill.
However, with both Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna departing the club in recent years, leaving few other notable outfield names other than ex-striker Benni McCarthy who has been looking after United forwards since 2022, he could be appointed as a strategic figure amongst the first-team coaching staff.
Either way, O’Neil signed a three-year deal with Wolves when he was appointed in August 2023 and has already seen some pretty impressive results, leading them to an admirable 10th place in the Premier League at present, so any proposal from United would have to be a handsome one.
While it still feels unlikely that Gary O’Neil would give up the top job at a top-flight club for an as-yet ‘unknown’ position at United, who remain in flux and still plenty of uncertainty as they start this next chapter, there is an undoubted appeal to being at one of the biggest football clubs on the planet.
Sources are said to have confirmed the United’s interest and O’Neil himself is now aware of the prospective approach but neither club is yet to address the situation.
Ogden’s report also goes on to cite recent rumblings surrounding potential figures to succeed ten Hag if he were to be sacked, with names like Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Brentford’s Thomas Frank being floated around.
In fact, even England manager Gareth Southgate has been linked, though the suggestion has already been shrugged off by the bulk of the fan base and the Three Lions boss himself has also been quick to dismiss the rumours:
Watch the wholesome moment Jude Bellingham gives his jacket to a young mascot to keep him warm
Danny Jones
England supporters are already getting very excited to see Jude Bellingham in the starting 11 ahead of Euro 2024 but the midfielder is winning over even more fans after a clip of a wholesome moment between him and a young mascot went viral.
The Three Lions ended up drawing 2-2 in their second friendly of the international break against Belgium (losing 1-0 to Brazil in the previous game) with Bellingham scoring the equaliser in the final minute of stoppage time.
However, as much as the home fans are looking forward to the Real Madrid star rallying his teammates at the Euros this summer, it was this small but touching interaction with a young kid as the two sides lined up with their mascots just after the walkouts.
Seeing the rain falling and quickly checking in with the small boy sitting in the wheelchair below him, Bellingham rightly offered his pre-match jacket to the little lad to keep him warm.
The reaction online was just as heartwarming too, as countless people jumped on social media to leave comments like, “This is how you know he is Brum, what a nice fella”, “makes me proud to be English” and “Classy as ever from the 20-year-old”.
One person even went so far as to add: “Make this guy captain, wrap him in bubble wrap and take care of him. All youngsters should watch how he conducts himself, absolute professional.”
He wasn’t the only one either, as many eagle-eyed viewers also noted that Manchester City stars Phil Foden and John Stones also gave their jackets to the young mascots standing with him prior to the match. We really do have some lovely lads in this team, don’t we?
Elsewhere, another Greater Mancunian player once again delighted those in the stands and watching back home as Kobbie Mainoo not only made his second appearance and first full start in an England shirt but also earned himself the man of the match award.
The Man United starlet was a late inclusion into Gareth Southgate’s provisional Euros squad, which is likely to change again before the tournament starts, but you won’t find many fans Reds or otherwise wanting him anywhere else other than in the starting lineup.
We’re starting to really like the look of this squad both on and off the pitch and one thing’s for sure, they aren’t just nice blokes – there’s plenty of talent amongst them to win something.
You can watch the highlights of England vs Belgium in full down below: